Diet Mistakes - Vanessa Ortiguerra

Why aren’t you losing weight?

Are you dieting but finding that you aren’t losing any weight? Be careful, because you may be making some common diet mistakes that you may not even be aware of. Here is a list of the common mistakes most people make.

Skipping meals:

Research shows that breakfast skippers weigh more than breakfast eaters.  There is a misconception that skipping breakfast -- or any meal -- saves calories. The truth is that most people who eat fewer than three meals usually end up eating more calories during the course of the day.

Strive for three meals a day. Always start your day with a healthy breakfast, but be careful to choose wisely.

"Even a low-fat muffin can have as many as 400 calories and 5 grams fat," says Joanne Lichten, PhD, RD, a nutrition consultant and the author of Dining Lean.

A healthy breakfast should contain both protein and fiber. An egg, a piece of whole-wheat toast, and half a grapefruit has only 250 calories and will keep you feeling full until lunch.

Oversized Portions

"We have gotten used to huge portions at restaurants so when we are at home, we serve up the same size and think it is normal," says Lichten.

Experts suggest a few tricks to help you trim your portions:

•   Leave a few bites on your plate.

•   Use smaller plates and bowls.

Periodically check your portions with measuring cups.

Unhealthy add-ons and alternatives

Not only have portions crept up in size, we also have a tendency to top off our "diet" salads and other favourite foods with high-fat toppings, like bacon, cheese, croutons, and creamy dressings.

And, at fast-food restaurants, "grilled chicken and salads are not always better than a burger," notes Lichten. "It all depends on the size and the toppings."

For example, the Burger King Tendergrill sandwich with honey mustard dressing has 470 calories while their Whopper Jr., with mustard instead of mayo, has only 290 calories. At McDonald’s, the Caesar salad with crispy chicken and creamy dressing totals 520 calories, while a Quarter Pounder weighs in at 410 calories.

above info from: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/diet-mistakes-6-reasons-youre-not-losing-weight